Centrifuge insert

Abstract

A centrifuge insert is provided which is not only suited for one type of sample container or sample carrier but for at least two geometrically different elements from the group consisting of sample container and sample carrier. This achieves that the same centrifuge insert can be used for different sample containers or sample carriers. This provides space savings, in particular in the lab. Furthermore acquisition cost is reduced, and handling is accelerated by reducing manual complexity which increases lab through put.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A centrifuge insert for receiving at least one first element from a group consisting of sample container and sample carrier in a centrifuge rotor of a laboratory centrifuge that is configured as a swing out rotor,
 wherein the centrifuge insert is adapted to receive the at least one first element which has a circular or oval cross section at least in portions, 
 wherein the centrifuge insert is configured modular with a base element and at least one supplemental element, 
 wherein the at least one supplemental element includes a first supplemental element and a second supplemental element alternatively receivable in the base element, 
 wherein the second supplemental element includes a first external geometry which forms at least one first circular or oval receiver for the at least one first element in cooperation with a corresponding interior geometry of the base element so that the at least one first element is in direct circumferential contact with the second supplemental element and the base element, 
 wherein the first supplemental element includes a second internal geometry which forms a second circular or oval receiver for the at least one first element so that the at least one first element is in direct circumferential contact with the first supplemental element but not in direct circumferential contact with the base element, 
 wherein mass forces from a liquid content of the at least one first element are reacted by the at least one first element and transferred from a closed base of the at least one first element to the base element and from the closed base of the at least one first element to the second supplemental element respectively in a direction of an axis of curvature of the circular or oval cross section of the at least one first element, and 
 wherein the second supplemental element includes a third circumferentially closed internal geometry which forms a third circular or oval receiver for the at least one first element in a center of the first supplemental element. 
 
     
     
       2. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one first element is a sample container, a sample beaker, a sample tube a reaction vessel, a centrifuge vessel, a flask, a micro reaction vessel or a cell culture vessel and includes a conically configured base section. 
 
     
     
       3. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the centrifuge insert is configured to receive the at least one first element in a form locking manner, 
 or wherein a base configuration of receivers of the centrifuge insert is adapted to a base configuration of sample containers or sample carriers to be received and has a flat, conical or cambered contour. 
 
     
     
       4. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least one supplemental element is pluggable into the base element or pluggable onto the base element, and 
 wherein a plug connection configured as a groove and key connection is formable between the base element and the at least one supplemental element. 
 
     
     
       5. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the at least one supplemental element includes at least one second receiver for the at least one first element. 
 
     
     
       6. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the centrifuge insert is configured to laterally fix the at least one first element. 
 
     
     
       7. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least one bar or protrusion which is adapted to laterally envelop the at least one first element at least partially, or 
 wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least one recess or groove which is adapted to laterally envelop the at least one first element at least partially, 
 wherein the centrifuge insert is adapted to receive the at least one first element by plugging into corresponding receivers of the centrifuge insert. 
 
     
     
       8. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least two supports which are arranged opposite to each other and adapted to laterally support the at least one supplemental element, or at least two supplemental elements that are stacked on top of each other. 
 
     
     
       9. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least two supports include interlocking connection elements which are adapted to provide an interlocking connection between the at least two supports and the at least one supplemental element. 
     
     
       10. The centrifuge insert according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the centrifuge insert includes at least two grips for gripping the centrifuge insert, 
 wherein the at least two grips are arranged opposite to each other and adapted to laterally support the at least one supplemental element, or at least two supplemental elements that are stacked on top of each other. 
 
     
     
       11. A centrifuge insert for receiving at least one first element from a group consisting of sample container and sample carrier in a centrifuge rotor of a laboratory centrifuge that is configured as a swing out rotor,
 wherein the centrifuge insert is adapted to receive the at least one first element which has a circular or oval cross section at least in portions, 
 wherein the centrifuge insert is configured modular with a base element and at least one supplemental element, 
 wherein the at least one supplemental element includes at least one external concave geometry which faces towards the base element and forms at least one first receiver for the at least one first element in cooperation with at least one corresponding interior concave geometry of the base element which faces towards the at least one supplemental element so that a circumference of the at least one first element is in direct contact with the at least one supplemental element and the base element, 
 wherein an axis of curvature of the at least one external concave geometry, of the at least one interior concave geometry and of the circular or oval cross section of the at least one first element extends in parallel, 
 wherein a number of the at least one external concave geometry is identical to a number of the at least one corresponding interior concave geometry, 
 wherein mass forces from a liquid content of the at least one first element are reacted by the at least one first element and transferred from a closed base of the at least one first element to the base element and from the closed base of the at least one first element to the first supplemental element respectively in a direction of an axis of curvature of the circular or oval cross section of the at least one first element, and 
 wherein the supplemental element includes a circumferentially closed internal geometry which forms a second circular or oval receiver for the at least one first element in a center of the first supplemental element.